Chiefs/Giants
desperate for a win
9/18/2001
by CK Rairden
Landmark columnist
With another difficult opponent coming into
Arrowhead Stadium this Sunday, the Chiefs may have trouble
again in the passing game. WR Derrick Alexander’s
new shoes haven’t seemed to work and he is struggling
with his foot again. He failed to complete practice on
Monday. The Chiefs are off today.
The Chiefs and Giants both need a win after losing their
season openers. The situation is multiplied by the likely
scenario of only one wild card team making the playoffs
per conference if the NFL chooses to make up week two
and skip the wild card weekend eliminating four playoff
teams. Neither team can afford an 0-2 start.
Notes:
Inexperience a distinct possibility at wideout for Sunday—
Chiefs head coach Dick Vermeil commented Monday after
practice that starting WR Derrick Alexander’s “Achilles
bothered him and he just quit working. He is doubtful
(for Sunday.)”
That would leave Chris Thomas as the starter opposite
of rookie Snoop Minnis against the defending NFC champs.
Thomas has never started an NFL game at receiver and has
only 32 catches in his five-year career. The third receiver
will likely be Larry Parker.
Between the three it looks ugly; one career start, 36
catches and 1 TD. That one TD came last week by Snoop
Minnis.
• • •
Wiegmann works with the starting unit—
As reported in MMQB, C Casey Wiegmann did practice on
Monday. He said he felt good and Vermeil told the club’s
official site that he would start on Sunday barring any
setbacks.
• • •
Union Refs to Return?
Sources have stated that the locked out NFL referees should
be back on the job Sunday. Conflicting reports are saying
they haven’t.
It appears that a tentative deal has been reached that
must be approved by the 119 union officials. A vote should
be taken today and expect to see them on the field on
Sunday.
• • •
Tagliabue in town—
CBS Sportsline is reporting that NFL commissioner Paul
Tagliabue will travel to Kansas City and attend the Chiefs-Giants
game on Sunday.
• • •
Mixed Emotions—
The Giants returned to practice on Monday at their practice
field in East Rutherford, NJ. Some players expressed concern
when they heard planes flying overhead while others stated
that it was “therapy” to get back to work. Head
coach Jim Fassel only worked his team for 90 minutes in
what was described as a light workout.
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